Buick's back with Riviera stunner

The concept is a joint venture between General Motors, the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in China and the enterprising Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

Riviera has been engineered to house a new hybrid system that will go into production at GM's Shanghai operation in 2008, featuring the latest developments from GM and its partners.

In establishing the design, the PATAC team was inspired by previous Buick concepts and the Riviera coupes of the 60s and 70s. The concept also marks the return on the Buick nameplate after an eight-year absence.

Several original Riviera design cues have been incorporated, including the "double sweep spear" along the side and the flaring lines at the rear end. The body is finished in metallic silver with blue accents, while the gullwing doors add dramatic appeal to the 2+2 seater.

Carbon fibre has been used on all body panels. Riviera rides on 21-inch 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels.

The interior is finished in blue and cream leathers with sweeping finishes to create a lounge setting. It has a three-dimensional speedometer inspired by the classics and an utterly modern touchpad-controlled centre console with an LCD display.